Facebook’s sports product to launch during NFL championships

This image provided by Facebook shows Facebook Sports Stadium, which will be focused on most major sporting events around the world. Facebook Sports Stadium, which debuts at the NFL's conference championship games and then the Super Bowl, features a live score and game clock at the very top of the page. Under the scoreboard are four tabs: Matchup, Friends, Experts and Stats. The Matchup provides a quick summary of what's happening chronologically in the game, with a scoring summary and the most recent plays. Users can like, comment and share every play. (Facebook via AP) This image provided by Facebook shows Facebook Sports Stadium, which will be focused on most major sporting events around the world. Facebook Sports Stadium, which debuts at the NFL's conference championship games and then the Super Bowl, features a live score and game clock at the very top of the page. Under the scoreboard are four tabs: Matchup, Friends, Experts and Stats. The Matchup provides a quick summary of what's happening chronologically in the game, with a scoring summary and the most recent plays. Users can like, comment and share every play. (Facebook via AP)

By Associated Press January 21, 2016 3 min read

There’s a new stadium in town. Actually, in every town.

It’s on Facebook.

Facebook Sports Stadium will debut at the NFL’s conference championship games and then the Super Bowl. After that, the social media giant’s first sports product will cover most major events around the world.

With 1.55 billion users, an estimated 650 million of them sports fans, it seems a natural place to gather for the kind of passionate conversation that accompanies virtually every pass, tackle and kick.

“Sports is inherently social and has been since the beginning of time,” Facebook’s Dan Reed says. “Historically, to watch a sporting event, you root for or against, you’re watching it in the context of a physical stadium, and interaction is as essential as what is happening on the field.